I just told my advisor that I'd started my UCSC application. He's trying to help me get the masters' paperwork together by the end of the semester (I'm on a non-masters track right now, since PhD acceptances at UNM are regardless of masters). He's being incredibly supportive, and offered to proofread my SoP.

This might be my last full month in Albuquerque. I'm a bit in shock. I hadn't considered the possibility of not having to stay until May.

I feel very lightheaded. There is a voice in my journal (the dead tree sort) that tells me that I'm doing the right thing. However, I'm terrified of leaving here without a gauranteed acceptance somewhere else.